July is a busy month in our house with birthdays and summer arriving. You can tell how busy we’ve been this month as I’ve only managed to read four books rather than my usual ten or eleven! I always find I read less during the summer months so I’m looking forward to autumn when I can get curled up with more books!
Here are the books I read in July 2021.
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. After accidentally losing a keepsake belonging to his beloved fiancee shortly before she died, he dedicates his life to rescuing lost things with the hope of reuniting them with their owners. As he is becoming older and increasingly frail, Anthony worries about what will become of his collection of lost things. He therefore entrusts Laura, his recently divorced assistant and friend, with his life’s secret mission. He bequeaths his house and all its possessions to Laura, including a grumpy ghost.
Laura, alongside her new friend Sunshine and Freddy the gardener, sets out to fulfil Anthony’s last wish of reuniting the lost treasures with their owners.
I really loved the premise of this book but just didn’t enjoy the execution. Not one of my favourites.
Click here to read my full review of The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan.
Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Son
In the summer of 2002, Korea and Japan are hosts to the football world cup. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, a nineteen-year-old girl is murdered. School girl Kim Hae-on was beautiful and beguiling and the whole school is shocked by her murder. There are two main suspects but without any solid evidence, the case goes cold.
The story is told from three different viewpoints and focuses on the aftermath of Hae-on’s murder and the impact it had on those who knew her.
For such a short novel (less than 200 pages), this story certainly creates an impact. It’s so much more than your typical whodunnit. It’s a clever, twisty exploration of grief and guilt and each of the eight chapters packs a punch.
Click here to read my full review of Lemon by Kwon Yeo-Son.
The Girl In The Striped Dress by Ellie Midwood
After stepping off the cattle train in Auschwitz, Helena and her fellow arrivals are informed they are scheduled to die the following day. Shortly after arrival, she is ordered to serenade an SS guard on his birthday. Franz, celebrating his 20th birthday, is instantly captivated by Helena and orders her life to be saved, forever changing the course of her fate. She is then transferred to his work detail, the Kanada, where Franz is in charge. He offers her protection and an unlikely relationship is formed.
We learn at the start of the novel that Helena and Franz eventually married after the war, and Franz faces a Denazification Tribunal for his crimes against humanity. The book is told from the perspective of Helena and a psychiatrist who is trying to determine whether Helena can truly love an SS guard or whether her testimony in support of Franz is a result of coercion and fear.
A powerful and heartbreaking read.
Click here to read my full review of The Girl In The Striped Dress by Ellie Midwood.
The Girl Behind The Wall by Mandy Robotham
When the Berlin Wall goes up literally overnight, twins Karin and Jutta are separated. After falling ill the day before, Karin wakes up in hospital on the eastern side of the city, with Jutta and the rest of her family at home in the west. Trapped under Soviet rule, Karin has to learn to adapt and survive in East Berlin with no way back to her beloved family. Unable to contact Karin, Jutta tries everything in her power to reach her beloved sister.
For years the sisters live parallel lives on opposite sides of the wall. Karin finds love with Otto, and finally finds hope and a semblance of happiness. When Jutta finds a hidden way through the wall the sisters are delighted to be reunited. However, with Soviet spies everywhere, Karin needs to make a decision. Should she flee to the west and be with her family, or sacrifice all she knows to be with the man she loves?
A thought-provoking read about love and loyalty.
Click here to read my full review of The Girl Behind the Wall by Mandy Robotham.
Some of these books were sent from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.